One of the things that has inspired me in 2014 has been scientific advancements beyond our atmosphere: from the continued work on the International Space Station, to Curiosity's exploits on Mars and Philea's historic bumpy landing on an asteroid - surely the stuff of science fiction!

One million girls being disappeared only because they are girls is a gendercide. And it's an annual occurrence in the world's largest democracy that will happen again in 2015, and perhaps grow in numbers by 2016 and future years without pressure for change. So here's a hashtag to start a conversation: #Indiabringbackourgirls

A stellar contradiction about the confused Sir Richard Branson was overlooked by both The Mail on Sunday ("Branson labeled 'outrageous' over attempts to distance himself from Friday's tragic crash", 2nd November) and Financial Times ("Brand it like Branson", 6th November).

A female Italian astronaut soon to join the International Space Station will be among the first to use a newly patented device to make 'proper' espresso coffee, enjoyed from a specially designed zero-gravity cup.